Note: Training on the survey protocol will be provided at Birch Bay State Park on Thursday, September 20, from 5:30-7:30pm.

Seattle Audubon’s Science Program will expand the Puget Sound Seabird Survey (PSSS) northward from Deception Pass to Blaine, including the San Juan Islands. However, what’s different about this project expansion is that we’ll also be creating an accompanying oil spill action plan that will be used when an oil spill occurs that impacts the U.S. waters of the Salish Sea. With the increase in oil transport traffic via rail and tanker, and the oil refineries in Anacortes, Bellingham and Ferndale, without being too sensational, it’s not a matter of if an oil spill occurs, but when. Therefore, we need an action plan that we can use in those circumstances.

The project has been in contact with North Cascades Audubon John Bower at Western Washington University,

The surveyors who already conduct the Cherry Point surveys will help us at those sites, but if anyone else would like to help us with surveys at other sites along the coast, we’d be delighted to have you join us. Training on the survey protocol will be provided at Birch Bay State Park on September 20, from 5:30-7:30pm. In addition to the survey protocol training, we’ll be adding an additional oil spill training for all volunteers – those who will survey the 20 new sites, as well as those who already survey the 122 established survey sites. The oil spill training will focus on what to do in the event of an oil spill, including conducting an ad-hoc seabird survey, and reporting on observed oil on the water and beach at the survey sites.

Please reach out to Toby Ross, Senior Science Manager tobyr@seattleaudubon.org with further questions or to take part.

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The purpose of this society is to promote the study and conservation of birds and other wildlife, their habitat, and the environment; to increase public appreciation of the values of wildlife, plants, and the natural environment; and to stimulate action to protect and preserve them for the future.